Horse Racing Blog Posts by Post Time Pete

Anyone who watched the Haskell Invitational and Monmouth Park on Sunday evening was treated to a great race. Bob Baffert and Martin Garcia might just be the best 1-2 punch in horse racing after Coil broke from dead last to win by a neck over Shackelford, the favorite and Preakness winner. However, in this post we debate whether Coil was the best horse in the field and if he deserved to win this race.

On Saturday, April 9th 2011, TVG sponsored a fan appreciation day at Tampa Bay Downs. I've been a TVG account holder for a little over two years now. Their television coverage is entertaining, their website gives me all the tools I need, and their customer service is second to none. This article gives an overview of how the day went.

Most female racehorses adjust to life after racing on the farm without difficulty. The same can be said for horse racing's most decorated mare, Zenyatta. She arrived at Lane's End farm in central Kentucky on December 6th after making an appearance at Keeneland for "Zenyatta Day" in which over 1,000 fans came out to show their appreciation.

About a week ago, I was ripe with anticipation for an exciting Breeders' Cup weekend. Now that it's all over and I've had some time to reflect, all I can think is what a disappointment. I realize this is very subjective. After all, what is it we look for in a great horse race? An amazing upset? A come from behind win by the favorite? A nose-to-nose finish? The 2010 Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky gave us all of that.

The Breeder's Cup Classic is considered by many to be the premier race of the year. It is notoriously difficult to predict due to the high quality of thoroughbreds competing. Very often, the winner of this race goes on to win the Horse of the Year honors. This year the Classic will be run at Churchill Downs, home to the Kentucky Derby. While the race is fun to watch any year, this year it will offer something special for the enthusiasts and casual horse racing fans alike.

The Grade 1 Travers Stakes takes place at Saratoga Race Course this Saturday, August 28th. The star-studded field consists of 11 three year old colts all vying for a chance at the $1 million dollar purse. The race is 10 furlongs (1 1/4 miles) and post time is scheduled for 5:45 P.M. EDT.

There's generally a lull in horse racing between the end of the Triple Crown in early June and the Breeder's Cup in early November. Don't get me wrong, some of the best races occur during this period of the summer. It's just that not many of these races have the exciting buildup that the Breeder's Cup and Triple Crown offer. If you're looking for that excitement again, the 2010 Haskell Stakes, part of the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park, shouldn't disappoint.

There was a recent blog post in the L.A. Times discussing the possibility of a face-off between last year's Horse of the Year and Preakness Stakes winner Rachel Alexandra and the undefeated Zenyatta at the August 29th Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga. Six months ago I would have been giddy at the thought of this matchup. My question today is, is anyone still really dreaming of this matchup?

On a recent trip to the track, my friend, who was experiencing his first time at the races, was perusing the Daily Racing Form when he asked me what the "L" next to a horse's name meant. I explained this meant the horse was on Lasix. He asked me what Lasix was and I explained that it was a drug administered to some horses to help prevent them from bleeding.

I don't think any avid horse racing fan can deny that Zenyatta is the most exciting thing to happen to the sport in recent years. I made sure to change my plans the day of this year's Vanity Invitational Handicap so I could watch the race. I, like most other fans, was really pulling for her to win and run her undefeated streak to 17 - 0. As she came down the home stretch neck and neck with St. Trinians, I couldn't help but think, "what would happen if she lost..."